Improvement in fire-escapes



B. BRIAN 8L G. SCHWENDEMANN. Fire-Escape.

No. 219,850'. Patented Sept. 23,1879.

,5f H @ZM UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

DARNEY DRIAN AND GEORGE SOHWENDEMANN, OF NEW HAVEN, CONN.

IMPROVEMENT IN FI RE-ESCAPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,850, dated September 23, 1879 application filed June 23. 1879.

that class of nre-escapes which consist of a.

platform arranged upon a series of levers known as lazy-tongs, so that extending the ton gs raises the platform, and contracting them lowers it; and the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claims.

A represents a frame or body supported on wheels B B or otherwise; C, the platform, and D D the levers forming the lazy-tongs, the central joint of one pair arranged in the form of a bearing, c, at the top of the frame. It

will be understood that there are two series of these levers, one at each side, as in the usual manner for this class of fire-escapes.

The upper ends of the upper levers are attached, so as to open and close as the platform is lowered or raised. Below the stationary bearing-point c the levers are continued, and a half-lever, d, attached to the end of each of the levers and brought together at e, and there joined to a vertical slide', E. Ihis vertical slide is provided above with a cross-head, F, and from each end of this cross-head a chain, H, runs down, one connected to the drum I, the other to the drum I.

On the shaft of each of these drums is a pinion, L, and between the two pinions a gearwheel, P, working into both.

To extend the lazy-tongs and raise the platform, turn the wheel P by means of the lever B, or otherwise, in the direction denoted by the arrow, which will cause the drums or pulleys I l' to revolve and wind the chain onto them drawing down the cross-head F, with the slide E, which also draws down the lower ends of the half-levers D', and turns the levers of the lazy-tongs on the bearing a and the joints above, so as to raise the platform, as shownsay from the down position seen in broken lines to the up position.

A notched post, T, is provided to engage the lever at different points, so that the platform may be held at different elevations.

At the angles telescopic columns S are arranged, connecting the base with the platform, so as to serve to support the platform transversely.

The usual adjusting-screws U are applied to adjust the base, so that if the truck is not exactly level the base may be made so, substantially as in other {ire-escapes.

To lower the platform, reverse the operation.

As an elevator these devices may be used to good advantage, and may be inverted, so as to make the lifting mechanism above, and in that case the platform suspended from it.

The railing around the platform is composed of ladders, which may be detached and. serve as a convenient means of communication be' tween the platform and building.

From the foregoing it will be understood that we do not broadly claim a lire-escape in which its platform is moved by means of' lazytongs, or, broadly considered, a mechanism for extending or contracting the lazy-tongs.

We claiml. The combination of the platform O, levers D, or lazy-tongs, hung upon a bearing, a, with slide and cross-head F, in connection with said lazy-tongs, pulleys l I', and connection thereto from the cross-head, with an intermediate gear working both said pulleys, substantially as described.

2. rlhe combination of the platform C, levers D, or lazy-tongs, hung upon a bearing, a, with slide and cross-head E F, in connection with said laZyton gs, pulleys I I, connection thereto from the cross-head, intermediate gear working both said pulleys, and telescopic columns or guides between the base and platform, all substantially as described.

BARNEY DRIAN. GEORGE SCHVVENDEMANN.

Witnesses Jos. C. EARLE, J. H. SHUMWAY. 

